What MUST change in the new year

 

The first article discussed how God has consistently expected certain things from Christians since the faith began. If we remain constant in those matters, then we will see some positive changes in our spiritual lives. Here is a list of what should change from year to year:

 

1. Your faith will get stronger (II Thess. 1:3).

 

2. Your bond with brethren will get stronger (Rom. 12:10).

 

3. Your efforts to help the lost will increase (Acts 8:4).

 

4. Your relationship with the Lord will grow (Phil. 3:8).

 

5. Your joy in being a Christian will increase (I Pet. 4:13).

 

6. Your prayers will multiply (I Thess. 5:17).

 

7. Your abilities will grow as you do more in the church (Phil. 2:12).

 

8. Your selflessness will increase as you help others more (Gal. 6:10).

 

9. Your patience will grow as you continue to resist temptation (James 1:2-3).

 

10. Your knowledge will increase as you defend the truth more (I Pet. 3:15).

 

11. Your spiritual endurance will increase as you consistently live your faith (Heb. 12:28).

 

The more Christians positively change, the more the church remains the same. May we all seek to please the Lord by improving on these things in 2017!

 

                                                                                              Chuck                                                                                                                                                                    

 

You cannot be a faithful Christian without repenting 

 

“Christian” is one of those terms used so loosely today that we have people claiming to faithful Christians when they are anything but. This is not new. There were individuals in Sardis that called themselves something they were not (Rev. 3:1). The fact is, one cannot be a Christian and walk in sin. Repent means “to turn away from”. To help make things perfectly clear, a person is not a faithful Christian if they do any of these things:

 

1. Marry someone unlawfully (Matt. 14:4; 5:32; 19:9).

 

2. Are a female preacher (I Cor. 14:34-35; I Tim. 2:11-12).

 

3. Are a member of a man-made religious organization – i.e., a denomination (Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:47; Rom. 16:16).

 

4. Wear a special title as a religious leader (Matt. 23:7-10; I Cor. 1:12-13; Acts 10:25-26).

 

5. Refuse to belong to a local church that is Christ’s (I Pet. 5:1-2; I Cor. 11:17-18; Acts 9:26).

 

6. Try to follow the gospel and, at the same time, follow the law of Moses (Gal. 5:1-4; Heb. 8:7-8; 9:16-17). 

 

7. Worship God based on what they like rather than seeing what God has authorized/instructed (John 4:24; Matt. 15:1-9; Col. 3:17).

 

8. Conform to the world via immodest dress, corrupt speech and sexual immorality (I Tim. 2:9; Eph. 5:4; Gal. 5:19).

 

9. Keep returning to the passing pleasures of sin with drugs, gambling, drinking and the like (I Cor. 9:27; I Pet. 4:3; Gal. 5:21).

 

10. Go through life trying to serve two masters (Matt. 6:24; I John 2:15-16).

 

11. Put their earthly family ahead of the Lord (Matt. 10:37; 6:33).

 

12. Serve as an elder in a church when not married or not meeting other qualifications (I Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9).

 

13. Claim to love the Lord yet hate their brother (I John 4:7-8, 20).

 

14. Get married but refused to leave their father and mother (Matt. 19:4-6; Eph. 5:22-33).

 

15. Act kindly toward some people but have prejudices toward others (Gal. 2:11-13; Gal. 3:27-28).

 

16.  One who has accepted the world’s standard for entertainment when it ungodly (Rom. 12:1-2).

 

Many people are fooling themselves by saying they are Christians when they do not live Christ-like lives (I Pet. 2:21). Christians may sin from time to time, but they are required to repent (I John 1:8-10).  Remember, repenting means “to turn away from”. We all need to think about that.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Chuck

What will happen in 2016?

 

Another year has come and gone for the River Ridge church of Christ. It was filled with many efforts that helped the church grow and spread the word of God. We do not know what is in store for this coming year, but let’s look back over 2015 and reflect.

 

Planting and watering

Reaching the lost continued to be one of the main things we focused on as a church (Eph. 3:10). These efforts did not slow down, and we need to continue to press ahead in this area. Here is a list of things which we were engaged in:

1. Weekly TV program of Study the Word on FOX.
2. Daily TV program of Study the Word on WOW cable.
3. Weekly radio program on 98.5 FM.
4. Bi-weekly mailing of our weekly bulletin to over 100 people in the community.
5. Streaming our services live online.
6. Held our first gospel meeting in the building at 5600 Vann Road
7. Sent out numerous Bible study courses to those who requested them.
8. Arranged personal home studies with many folks throughout the year.
9. Mailed several DVD copies of our TV program to viewers throughout the year.

 

Providing edification for the members

Building the local church up spiritually is another huge responsibility of the church (Eph. 4:12,16). As a body of Christ, it is essential that we continue to strengthen our faith. Here is a list of things we engaged in to help the members grow:

1. Gathered together as a church 156 times for Bible study and worship.
2. Offered monthly ladies classes and a monthly Friday class.
3. Created preaching and teaching opportunities for the members.
4. Encouraged the saints via our gospel meeting
5. Members requested some personal Bible classes to help them grow (this is open for all)
6. Members mailed the bulletin and helped with the radio program every week.
7. Members visited with other members and prayed for one another throughout the year.

 

Allowing members to use their talents

No congregation is a “one man show”. To function effectively, all of the members should do what they can to help the church (I Cor. 12:12-14). This list is just a small sampling of the jobs done throughout the year that allow members to contribute:

1. Cleaning the building.
2. Taking care of the communion prep.
3. Looking after the landscaping.
4. Greeting visitors and making them feel welcomed.
5. Praying earnestly for the church and the lost.
6. Encouraging one another and building up that bond of love.

 

May we set goals to do even more in 2016, if the Lord wills.                                                                                

 

Chuck