HOLDING TO THE TRUTH

I had the opportunity this past Saturday to travel to Murfreesboro to the 4^th. annual Elder/Deacon/Preacher Seminar at East Main St. This is where Wayne Lankford is the preacher. They had an excellent program with Alan Highers and Tom Holland speaking on the subject of “Holding To The Truth.”

The first lesson dealt with liberty. “Is Human Liberty Grater Than God’s Liberty.” God’s Authority / Man’s Authority. Bro. Highers talked about the authority that elders have in the local congregation. He pointed out that an elder is to care for the church like a father cares for his children. I Timothy 3:4,5 states, “One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)” He must take care of the church. Elders are to “rule well” (I Timothy 5:17). We have an obligation to obey them (Hebrews 13:17). The area in which elders have authority is in the realm of judgment. They have no authority in the realm of faith or doctrine. They have an obligation to uphold sound doctrine, but they have no authority to alter the authority of the scriptures. They cannot change the doctrine of Christ. We owe the elders the support they need to uphold God’s word and to make decisions when it comes to judgment.

Bro. Highers second lesson dealt with “Speaking Truth In Love.” Paul’s great statement in II Timothy 4:1-4 was emphasized. “Preach the Word.” Isaiah stated in Isaiah 8:20, “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Far too many preachers today are preaching everything but God’s word. It is God’s word that will save souls (I Peter 1:22,23; James 1:18; Romans 1:16,17), therefore we need to continue to proclaim it. He concluded with the encouragement to beware of false teachers (Matthew 7:15; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15), especially as they are described in Jude 3,4. Wonderful lessons.

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT & ATTITUDES

The teachings of Jesus must be understood with the Old Testament and the Jewish misconception of it in the background. The Jews felt that they had a special place and occupied forever a special position of favor with God. They always point to their decendency from Abraham as proof. Through the teachings of Jesus, it is easily understood that a physical connection with Abraham does not produce a spiritual connection with God. The Sermon on the Mount, especially its teachings concerning proper attitudes, is an excellent example.

In Matthew 5:19, Jesus taught the proper attitude toward small things. Many brethren need this lesson today. Too many think a thing is worthwhile only if it is big in the eyes of men. We give too little attention to such things as daily Bible study, daily prayer, visiting the sick and being kind, etc. These do not bring a lot of attention to the doer of them, but it does bring approval from God.

Matthew 5:28, Jesus teaches us to be concerned about what we are like on the inside. We go to great lengths to be attractive on the outside, even though we may be repulsive on the inside. Jesus had much to say to the scribes and Pharisees about the inside. While we go through the outward motions of worship, are we filled with hate and ill-will on the inside?

Matthew 6:19-21 shows the right attitude concerning material and spiritual things. Later, in 6:31, mention is made of those who obviously think more of the physical clothing than they do spiritual clothing. Some think more of beautifying the body than the soul. Is this not one of the main reasons more is not done for the cause of Christ? Our affections are in the wrong place (Colossians 3:1,2).

Matthew 7:15-17 explains what our attitude should be toward false teachers. They may look and sound fine outwardly (smooth words and fair speeches), but are wolves inwardly (devouring the souls of men). This does not mean that we bite and devour them, for we must try to lead them back to the truth; but we must not allow them to lead us away from the truth.

Notice two passages not included in the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 15:8,9, we learn that God wants more than lip service; He wants a service that comes from the heart. He will accept nothing less. Do we just go through the motions of service, appearing to be right externally, while being diseased spiritually within? Then from Matthew 23, we learn that some refuse to be remolded. Read especially vs. 25-28. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.” Verses 32-33 constitute one of the most serious charges of the Bible. “Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?” Thus, we must be cautious, always giving sufficient attention to our attitude. Having the right attitude is essential in reaching heaven.

--Christian Messenger, Algood TN 06/03/04

SCHOOL SUPPLIES NEEDED:

Loose Leaf Paper

Plain Pocket Folders

Composition Books (single subject)

Pencils

Clear backpacks [$10.00 at Walmart]

They need basic school supplies. Nothing fancy.

There's Nothing Plainer

Foy E. Wallace, Jr.

The plainest statement on what to do to be saved is Mark 16:15-16: "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."

Now that verse cannot be simplified and it cannot be misunderstood, without help. He shall be saved that believeth and is baptized. It does not read, he shall be saved that believeth. It does not read, he shall be saved who is baptized. It reads, He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.

The principal sentence is, he shall be saved. The dependent clause is, that believeth and is baptized. The word that points out the fellow — that shows who shall be saved. This is the simplest statement in all the Bible on what to do to be saved

MONTROSE FAMILY NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Aug 23, 2009

THOSE PRIVILEGED TO SERVE

WORSHIP----SUNDAY---9:00 AM

Co-Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mitchell Brooks

Announcements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Steve Anderson

Scriptures Reading.. . Eccle.2:10-11. . Cody Anderson

Song Leader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Glen Reece

Opening Prayer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jacky Carver, Sr

Lord’s Supper-Preside: Roger Draper

Serve: Jacky Carver Jr., Justin Draper,

Addison Halliburton, Billy Halliburton

Closing Prayer................................ Brian Smith

Greeter- Billy & Karen Halliburton

Greeter- Roger & Cynthia Draper

Count Offering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jacky Carver, Sr.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kaleb Bush

AM Sermon- . All Is Vanity (Ecclesiastes)

PM Sermon- - 4^th. Sunday Singing

WORSHIP---SUNDAY---6:00 PM

Song Leader. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jimmy Smith

Scripture Reading.. . . Matt.5:10-12. . Cody Anderson

Opening Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harold Smith

Lord’s Supper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Billy Halliburton

Serve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Ethan Leonard

Closing Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Roger Draper

BIBLE STUDY WEDNESDAY---7:00 PM

Song Leader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jacky Carver Sr.

First Prayer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Billy Halliburton

Opening Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jimmy Smith

Closing Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Larry Kemp

Prepare Communion for Aug

Shirley Hailey

Note: If you are not able to fulfill your assignment listed above, please notify the coordinator so that he can find a replacement.

MONTROSE BULLETIN BOARD

NURSING HOME: Lucille Smith,

Those on the sick list:

Donald Chaffin (Zion) Lou Gehrig’s disease

Kathy Harville

Vaughn Allen –cancer has returned

OUR RECORD OF LOVE FOR CHRIST

Wednesday. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Worship Sunday AM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Bible Study Sunday AM .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Daily Bible Readers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Worship Sunday PM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Offering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3137.00

.

Sept. 5^th. Women’s breakfast at the barn. We eat at 8:00 AM. .

Oct. 10^th. Hayride at the Russells

Oct 18-21^st. Fall Lectureship with Ben Flatt

We are asking each family to bring items for the pantry to be used for needs in the community as they arise: Item for week: Miracle Whip.

. BIBLE READING SCHEDULE FOR AUG

01 Isa. 18-20 02 Isa. 21-23 03 Isa. 24-26 04 Isa. 27-29 05 Isa. 30-34 06 Isa. 35-37 07 Isa. 38-40 08 Isa. 41-43 09 Isa. 44-46 10 Isa. 47-49

11 Isa. 50-52 12 Isa. 53-57 13 Isa. 58-60 14 Isa. 61-63 15 Isa. 64-66 16 Jer 1-3 17 Jer. 4-6 18 Jer. 7-9 19 Jer. 10-14 20 Jer. 15-17 21 Jer. 18-20

22 Jer. 21-23 23 Jer. 24-26 24 Jer. 27-29 25 Jer. 30-32 26 Jer. 33-37 27 Jer. 38-40 28 Jer. 41-43 29 Jer. 44-46 30 Jer. 47-49 31 Jer. 50