Resurrection and the First Day of the Week April 20, 2025
One of the greatest reasons we gather on the first day of the week is in honor of our resurrected Lord. We gather to take the Lord’s Supper, which does commemorate His death, but it is more than that. He was raised again, and this gives meaning to His death that could not otherwise be seen. Death could not have the final word, God defeated it through Christ. The first day gathering is not arbitrary, but full of meaning for a number of reasons. Here we wish to focus briefly on why the resurrection is front and center.

The Day of Christ’s Resurrection was the first day of the week. “Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb” (John 20:1). This fact alone should make us think of the importance of this day as the Lord’s Day. This is one of the reasons we meet on this day to celebrate His death and resurrection. Jesus didn’t just die, and if that’s all that happened, we have no traction for our faith. Paul indicates this in I Corinthians 15:12-19. The first day of the week was the day that victory was declared, the devil was defeated, and God’s people arose from the dust of the slavery of sin and death.

In Psalms 2, the anointed king of Yahweh is brought forth as a response to those who wanted to cast off God’s fetters: “He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, today I have begotten You’” (Vs 7). Paul quotes this and applies it to the resurrection of Jesus in Acts 13:32-33: “And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He has raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, ‘You are My Son; today I have begotten You.’” The resurrection was God’s proclamation of victory, of Christ’s kingship over all (I Peter 3:18-21). He “was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh,” and “declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 1:3-4). This proclamation was made on the first day of the week when our Lord arose. This day, then, should remind us of the power of God, which is that “strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named” (Ephesians 1:19-21). Though we remember His death, we also cannot think of His death without knowing that death wasn’t all there was. We do this “until He comes,” which tells us that He is alive, raised, and coming again.

As a pointer to the resurrection, the Feast of First Fruits is connected. Here is something else about the timing of the resurrection that contains great significance. Due to the time of the year and the connection to the Passover, then later Pentecost, the day of the resurrection of Jesus was connected to the Feast of First Fruits (Leviticus 23:9ff; another was Pentecost, Numbers 28:26, also filled with meaning). The “sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest” was to be waved before the Lord the day after the Passover Sabbath. This was to be done when they entered the land and they begin to reap the first fruits of the harvest, which would demonstrate their reliance on God who brought them into the land and show their thankfulness.

Paul references this in speaking about the resurrection Christ: “But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep” (I Corinthians 15:20). Paul also said that Christ our Passover has been sacrificed (I Corinthians 5:7). Notice the typology appealed to here based on the timing of the events – Christ is sacrificed as our Passover lamb who takes away the sins of the world, and raised up as first fruits to God. This leads to the harvest on Pentecost. That first harvest was an indicator of a greater harvest yet to come (the Feast of Weeks). In our case, Christ as our first fruits is the guarantee of the greater harvest of God’s people who would also be raised from the dead. This is the argument Paul is making in I Corinthians 15. Because Christ was raised, we will be raised.
When we gather on the first day of the week, we ought to think of Christ’s death and resurrection, and we ought to think of the first fruits harvest. Consequently, we are offering up to God our sacrifice of praise, showing our faith that we, too, will follow in the resurrection of our Lord.

By Doy Moyer

A Family With Favor April 13, 2025

When we read the early chapters of Acts, one striking aspect is the quality of the early family of God. They not only spent time together but also had “favor with all the people” (Acts 2:47). They were well-respected by the community for their actions and attitudes.

This raises an important question for us: Are we well-respected by our community? I do not believe the answer lies in trying to please as many people as possible. Peter clearly teaches that “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). If our primary goal becomes pleasing others in hopes of attracting them to our church or faith, we risk compromising the truth and obeying man instead of God. Peter and the Apostles certainly did not compromise their beliefs to meet the expectations or demands of non-believers. However, the example in Acts shows us that there is power in being a people who are well-respected. They worshipped together, fellowshipped, supported one another, and were overall glad and generous (Acts 2:44–47).

Are we perhaps ashamed to share about our church or faith because of our reputation? Do people see us as honest and kind? Are we known for crude jokes? Do we stand up for what is right or for going along with the majority? Do they see us as hard-working or lazy? Would people look favorably upon the church because of us? This is one reason elders “must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil” (1 Tim 3:7). While not everyone will respect the truth, there is a general expectation that the way we carry ourselves should reflect Christ and his church.

Are we living as a family that is respected by our community? If not, perhaps we have work to do individually and collectively to shine the light of Christ into the dark corners of the world rather than hiding there ourselves.

Spencer Clark

New Year’s Resolutions December 29, 2024

“I have chosen to be faithful; I have determined to live by your laws” (Psalm 119:30).

The term “resolution” (as we often think of it) basically means “firm determination to take a course of action.” With each new year people all around the nation make their new year’s resolutions. With some it is to quit smoking; with others its to go on a diet or to get more exercise (etc.). Though intentions are usually very good, for many it seems that their determination loses steam in just a short while.

The same kind of frustration can be seen in our spiritual lives. It’s not good enough to just talk the talk, we must also walk the walk. There is little good in making noble plans if we will not put those plans into action and see them through.

God (our most perfect example) says of Himself, “…Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it” (Isaiah 46:11).

Let me encourage you to follow God’s example. And let us not only resolve to do the Lord’s will, let us actually do it.
Aaron Veyon, Fredericktown Church of Christ, Fredericktown, OH

Would Roses Cost A Lot, Mister?” September 1, 2024

By Mike Riley

The following bulletin article was written by Brother Morris Thurman, former preacher for the Memorial Road congregation, on June 26, 1977. It’s a great human interest story about sacrifice that bears repeating today:

Henry Penn, the Boston florist who originated the slogan, “Say It With Flowers,” told how one morning two boys and a girl came into his florist shop and said: “We’re the flower committee and we would like some nice yellow flowers, sir. Do you have any yellow flowers? He would like them better if they were yellow. He had a yellow sweater.”

“Are they for a funeral?” asked Penn.

The children nodded “yes” and kept back the tears. “She’s his sister,” one of the boys explained. “He was good kid, a truck yesterday — we were playing in the street — we saw it happen.”
Then the other boy added, “Us kids took up a collection. We got eighteen cents — would roses cost a lot, mister? Yellow roses?”

Touched by the story of the tragedy and the loyalty of the kids, Henry Penn replied, “I have some nice yellow roses here that I am selling for eighteen cents a dozen just this morning.” The sympathetic florist accepted the eighteen cents and the committee carried away the flowers they had chosen. Said Penn, “I felt uplifted for days. I had been given the inexpressible privilege of sharing something.”
As Christians, we too have that inexpressible privilege of sharing. “We have this treasure in earthen vessels” (2 Corinthians 4:7). “We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us.” To share the glorious Good News of salvation in Christ, “we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20).

We want all to know “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). In love and compassion, we share the knowledge of Christ.

The Oracles of God                          August 25, 2024

First Peter 4:11 says, “If any man speak, [let him speak] as the oracles of God; if any man minister, [let him do it] as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

The word “oracles” in this verse appears three other times in the New Testament. In Acts 7:38, “the lively (living) oracles” refers to the Mosaic law. “The oracles of God” in Romans 3:2 speaks of all the written utterances of God through Old Testament writers. “The first principles of the oracles of God” is used to indicate the entire substance of Bible doctrine in Hebrews 5:12. The thought in 1 Peter 4:11 is that if any man (neuter: anyone, whomsoever) speaks, let him speak as the oracles (utterances, word) of God.

The most powerful influence in all the world is the Word of God. It is God’s power unto salvation (Rom. 1:16). Therefore, when we speak, we are commanded to speak the Word of God. We read in Titus 2:1, “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine.” The Old Testament prophet Micaiah said, “As the Lord liveth, what the Lord saith unto me, that will I speak” (1 Kings 22:14). Paul instructed Timothy to “preach the word; be instant in season out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort…” (2 Tim. 4:2). We have no authority but the word of God and when we speak, it must be from the Scriptures which are inspired of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Even in the common daily conversation of any and all Christians (men and women), we are to be governed by what God has said and as He has commanded.

To “speak as the oracles of God” also means that we respect what God did not say, i.e. the silence of the Scriptures. What God has not said is very importance. Nadab and Abihu were destroyed by fire for their disrespect of the silence of God’s Word (Lev. 10:1-2). God instructed them as to which fire to use, thus eliminating any other fire (Lev. 6:1-2). When God says something, it is final. And, when God does not say something, that is final! Everything else is eliminated! We cannot speak where God has not spoken.

We respect silence every day of our lives. For example: When we go out to eat we tell the waiter what we want, not what we do not want. By specifying what we want, we eliminate everything we do not want. The Bible is no different, God has given us exactly what He wants, no more and no less. That is why God’s people say: “We will do only what the Bible authorizes” (commands), while denominations say: “We will do everything the Bible does not specifically condemn.” There’s a world of difference between the two!

God said to Jeremiah, “Whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak” (Jer. 1:7). He commands the same of us in 1 Peter 4:11

Written by Garland M. Robinson

A Forgiving Spirit

by Gene Taylor

There is no more important characteristic found in the human heart than forgiveness. It’s importance is seen in the home, church, community and nation. Someone has said there are “three kindred spirits in the heart—giving, thanksgiving and forgiving. Usually where one is found, all are found.” A forgiving heart is an essential quality every child of God should have (Eph. 4:32).

Reasons To Be Forgiving

God commands it (Mark 11:25). This should be sufficient reason for any right-thinking person to be forgiving because God’s promises rest upon obedience to His word. But forgiveness on mere obedience to command usually falls short of what it should be. Anything done out of a sense of duty or necessity is usually not from the heart (cf. 2 Cor. 9:5-7). Consider the parent who makes the child say “I’m sorry” when, in reality, he is not sorry at all. He says it but only to appease his parent.

The example of Jesus (I Pet. 2:21; Phil. 2:3-5; Luke 23:34). As our example in all things, He would not require of us that which He would not do Himself. Even when His life was taken from Him, He had a forgiving attitude. It is said of Him, “He gave all, then forgave.”

We have been forgiven. God, in Christ, has forgiven the sins of the Christian (Eph. 4:32). As Christ has forgiven him, he is to forgive others (Col. 3:13). One who is unwilling to forgive after he has been forgiven is viewed disdainfully by the God of heaven (Matt. 18:21-35).

In order to have future forgiveness (Matthew 6:14-15).

What It Means To Forgive

Forgiveness is more than just speaking the words. It must be sincere and from the heart. It must be patterned after the forgiveness God has granted to us. It must be accompanied by actions which befit true forgiveness.

Forgiveness involves a kind attitude—abandoning all animosity and hatred. All bitterness, anger, wrath, clamor and evil speaking should be put away (Eph. 4:31). We can hold no grudges. One must deny the impulse to get even and seek to do the forgiven one good.

Forgiveness involves forgetting (Heb. 8:12), but what does it mean to forget? It is impossible for a person to completely obliterate the wrong from his mind. Rather it means to not hold the person accountable for it anymore. When forgiveness is granted that should end the matter. It should never again be dredged up or held against the one who has been forgiven.

Forgiveness should be given by the “golden rule” (Matt. 7:12).

One should always be willing to forgive—even at repeated offenses. Matthew 18:21-22 has the apostle Peter asking, “‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.'”

Jesus was willing to forgive those who crucified Him, but they were not forgiven until they acknowledged their wrong and repented of it (Luke 23:34; Acts 2:36-39). When one refuses to repent, he is to be regarded as a “heathen and a tax collector to you” (Matt. 18:15-17).

I recently watched a video clip from an interview about gender identification. The interviewer asked the female guest, “Is it true that only a female chicken can lay an egg?” After a volley of comments back and forth, the interviewer said, “Isn’t it the truth that female chickens lay eggs?” to which the guest replied with a smile, “Whose truth?” Her response reflects a popular belief in our society that truth is relative to an individual’s point of view. Thus, what may be true to one person may not be true to another. So then, the conclusion to this viewpoint is that there is no absolute truth. However, nothing could be further from the truth!

The fact is that there are absolutes that are true regardless of what an individual may believe or feel in one’s heart. It is the absolute truth that the sun exists and even though I may believe that it isn’t there, hide in a cave and never see it again, the sun is still there. It is an absolute truth that a human must breathe oxygen to survive. Even though one may think that it’s not necessary, or that because you can’t see it that it doesn’t exist, still it is true that without it, a person will suffocate and die. Speaking of dying, all people will die a physical death, even if that is not “true” to me, I will someday breathe my last and die. That’s the absolute truth.

When it comes to matters of faith, there are absolute truths. First and foremost, God is absolute, eternal, omniscient, omnipotent, and perfect. He is the Creator of all things and it is evident in the marvelously complex and wondrous universe He spoke into being. God’s word is truth as stated by Jesus in John 17:17. The bible is God breathed, inspired and it is good for doctrine, for reprimand, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, so that the people of God may be spiritually mature, thoroughly prepared for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16–17). Because the bible narrative is true, Jesus came, lived, died, was resurrected and now resides on the right hand of God. Because one believes in this truth and obeys the gospel plan, they can have eternal life once they pass from this present life. And that my friends, is the absolute truth.

Jay Launius – 2022 Maud church of Christ Maud, Texas

June 25, 2023

Sardis: Your Works Are Not Perfect                                                                                                               

by Jeff Asher

Sardis was one of the oldest and most important cities of Asia Minor. The city was founded in the third century B.C. The Lydian kings revered the Greek gods, were benefactors of Hellenic sanctuaries and consulted the oracle at Delphi. In Roman times Sardis was the center of the imperial cult in the region. Current excavations have brought much to light, including a superb late synagogue. For centuries Sardis had been a principal center of the Jewish Diaspora, and was probably the “Sepharad” of Obadiah 20. Sardis was situated on the east bank of the Pactolus River about 50 miles east of Smyrna. The city stood on the northern slope of Mount Tmolus. Its acropolis occupied one of the spurs of the mountain measuring a height of 950 feet. At the base was a river that served as a moat.

The original city was an almost impregnable fortress, towering above the broad valley of the Hermus, and nearly surrounded by precipitous cliffs of treacherously loose rock. The ruins of the walls are still visible.

The most impressive building of ancient Sardis must have been its magnificent Temple of Artemis, built in the fourth century B.C. The temple was 327 feet long and 163 feet wide and had 78 Ionic columns, each 58 feet high. This massive temple still bears witness in its fragmentary remains to the wealth and architectural skill of the people that raised it.

The ancient city was the residence of the kings of Lydia, among them Croesus, proverbial for his immense wealth. Cyrus is said to have taken $600,000,000 worth of treasure from the city when he captured it in 548 B.C. Sardis was in very early times, both from the extremely fertile character of the neighboring region and from its convenient position, a commercial mart of importance.

Through the failure to watch, the acropolis had been successfully scaled in 549 B.C. by a Median soldier, and in 218 by a Cretan. The Ionians burned the city in 501 B.C., but it was quickly rebuilt and regained its importance. In 334 B.C. it surrendered to Alexander the Great who gave it a brief measure of independence, for 12 years later in 322 B.C. it was taken by Antigonus. In 301 B.C. it fell into the possession of the Seleucidan kings who made it the residence of their governor. It was freed again in 190 B.C. when it formed a part of the empire of Pergamos, and later of the Roman province of Asia. In 17 a.d., when it was destroyed by an earthquake, the Roman emperor Tiberius remitted the taxes of the people and rebuilt the city, and in his honor the citizens of that and of neighboring towns erected a large monument, but Sardis never recovered its former status.

The church of our Lord in Sardis was much like the city itself—they had a reputation but they were in serious decline (Rev. 3:1-6).

Jesus said, “I know thy works… I have not found thy works perfect before God” (Rev. 3:1-2). There was activity in the church, but the activity was not coming to perfection. They were not getting the job done. Nothing they had done from their beginning had succeeded in establishing and grounding them in the faith.

There are churches like this today. Their greatest moment was the fleeting blaze of their momentous beginning. Since then they have not amounted to much. There were several converted at first, they readily put up a meetinghouse and called a preacher. However, soon after that things began to dwindle.

Some were like the stony ground and having no root returned to the world quickly (Matt. 13:20-21; Luke 8:13). Trial and temptation will discourage the weak hearted. They are unwilling to struggle against sin. To change the prior habits of life requires discipline and prayer. The ridicule of former friends is hard to withstand (1 Pet. 4:3-4).

Others are like the thorny ground (Matt. 13:22; Luke 8:14). There are other things that compete for our time and energy. While these things are not wrong in themselves, they must assume a priority lower than the ends and interests of the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 6:33). In a life “filled with thorns” there is never time for Bible study, prayer, evangelism or assembling with the saints. Yes, Sardis had a name, a reputation, but it was a thin veneer that hid the immaturity and stagnant condition of this church (cf. Heb. 5:12-14).

The remedy for the problems in this church was the few righteous and spiritual among them (Rev. 3:4). Notice that the Lord does not say give up on the rest, quit, go somewhere else and start another church. Neither does He conclude that the challenge before them is insurmountable and seeing that they “can’t beat ’em,” they had better “join ’em.”

No, Jesus says, “hold fast and repent” (Rev. 3:3). Those that are righteous must do the holding while urging the worldly and apathetic to repent. It is always the faithful few who have the greater burdens to bear. Yet, they are able (1 Cor. 10:13). Now, which are you?

June 18, 2023

Fervent In Spirit

by Gene Taylor

As Christians we have work to do. We were created in Christ for good works (Eph. 2:10) and to be zealous for them (Titus 2:14). Albert Barnes said, “An idle man and a Christian are names which do not harmonize.”

The above text points out two basic attitudes the Christian can have in relation to the work of the Lord. One can be either “lagging in diligence” or “fervent in spirit.” Of course, if one is going to please the Lord the latter is preferred.

“Lagging in Diligence”

The King James Version translates this phrase as “slothful in business.” To be slothful is to be lazy or indolent. William Barclay stated, “There is a certain intensity in the Christian life. There is no room for lethargy in it.” (The Daily Study Bible Series, Romans, p. 178).

God’s people in the Old Testament were warned against having such an attitude. Amos 6:1 pronounced woe upon those who were “at ease in Zion.” Jeremiah 48:10 says, “A curse on him who is lax in doing the Lord’s work!” (NIV).

Diligence is required of Christians, God’s people today. They are to give diligence to grow in Christ (2 Pet. 1:5); abound in diligence (2 Cor. 8:7); and be diligent and not become sluggish (Heb. 6:9-12).

Diligence is a product of commitment. The Corinthians’ commitment to the Lord was demonstrated by doing what needed to be done in reference to the sinner they had in their midst (1 Cor. 5:9-13). 2 Corinthians 7:11 says, “For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.”

“Fervent in Spirit”

The word translated “fervent in spirit” means to boil with heat, be hot. It is used of boiling anger, love, and zeal for what is good or bad. As used in our text, it means to have a burning zeal to do the will of God.

An example of this attitude is Jesus Christ. John 2:17, in speaking of Him, says, “Then His disciples remembered that it was written, ‘Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.'” Apollos is also an example of zeal. Acts 18:24-25 states, “Now a certain Jew named Apollos … came to Ephesus … and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord … ” Both Jesus and Apollos were successful in accomplishing their God-given tasks.

Fervor and enthusiasm are the keys to success in the Lord’s work. The church at Laodicea was chastised because of their lukewarmness (Rev. 3:14-16). Barclay says, “The one man whom the Risen Christ could not stand was the man who was neither hot nor cold” (Ibid.). He added, “The Christian may burn out, but he cannot rust out.”

Sadly, though, this spirit is lacking in some who claim to be God’s people. These are those who put off, sidestep, maneuver out of, or procrastinate with respect to that which needs to be done in the kingdom of the Lord. It seems impossible to move some “Christians” into action. The fire and enthusiasm of the first century church is missing among them. They have restored the truth but seem to have forgotten the spirit.

Conclusion

Ephesians 6:6 counsels us to be “doing the will of God from the heart.” May none of us drag our feet but instead give ourselves enthusiastically to doing the work of the Lord. Such a life of service will grant us the best life here and in the hereafter.

June 11, 2023

Don’t Confuse Me With The Facts

Teaching the Gospel is not always easy. Probably the most difficult problem the Christian faces in trying to teach the Gospel is teaching a person who has a closed mind.

How often do we meet a person with an attitude that shouts “Don’t confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up!” In other words, “It does not matter whether or not what you say is true, I am going to believe and do what I want.” You could point to many Scriptures; you could provide examples from the New Testament; you could quote the very words of Jesus, yet such a person will remain unmoved. Such an attitude would be almost humorous if it were not so sad. We need to understand the world has always had such people in it and learn not to be discouraged.

For 120 years Noah preached repentance to a wicked world and warned of the impending Flood. For 120 years people slapped their hands over their ears whenever they saw Noah coming down the road. But then came the day when God shut the door of the ark and the rain drops began to fall. The only ones who were saved were those who had spent 120 years with a hammer and saw in their hands, instead of their hands over their ears.

Jeremiah is known as the “weeping prophet” to us today and for good reason. His mission was very similar to Noah’s and his audience was just as stubborn. For about 40 years, Jeremiah preached to the rebellious people of God to repent or face the wrath of God. Jeremiah had good reason to cry because his audience not only refused to listen to him but also, instead of putting their hands over their ears, they made fists and put them in Jeremiah’s face.

Jeremiah was declared a dangerous fanatic; beaten and put in stocks; his writings were burned by a king; he was called a traitor, beaten again and thrown in a dungeon; he was thrown into a cistern where he sank up to his armpits in mud; and finally he was carried off to Egypt. It is amazing what great lengths people went to not hear Jeremiah.

Somehow, there are those who believe Jesus was exempt from prejudiced audiences. Even the Son of God who spoke with all the power and truth of Deity faced people whose attitude expressed, “Don’t confuse me with the facts” There were those who refused to listen to Christ; others mocked Him; one occasion a mob tried to throw Him over a cliff and another time some tried to stone Him. The prejudiced against Christ and His message grew to the point that to silence Him, His critics crucified Him.

After all the “plugged” ears Christians run into, (See, Acts 28:25-27), not only should Christians learn not to become discouraged, but also learn an important lesson on dull ears and closed eyes. Christians should beware of plugging their own ears, shutting their eyes and closing their minds to God’s Truth—the Bible.

Christians can “turn away their ears from the truth” (2 Tim. 4:4) and become just as stubborn and prejudiced and even more so than those in the world (See, 1 Tim. 4:1-3; 2 Tim. 4:1-4; Titus 1:13-16). If there is anything worse than a person of the world with their fingers in their ears, its a professed Christian with their fingers in their ears.

The proper attitude for the Christian is to “Prove all things; hold fast to that which is good,” (1 Thes. 5:21), studying to show thyself approved, (2 Tim. 2:15), and “examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things (are) so” (Acts 17:11). It is an attitude that “thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; bears all things believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Cor. 13:5-7). The Christian with the proper attitude towards other and the truth has his fingers turning the pages of his Bible instead of stuck in his ears!

by Wayne Greeson