November 2001
Bringing you the Gospel of Christ in the Spirit of Christ

If Jesus were to come tonight would you be absolutely sure you would go to Heaven?

Make sure you have obeyed the Gospel!

There is a better way!

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Park Gardens Church of Christ

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Arguments Against Baptism

Charlie Gomez

Hit Over the Head with a Spirit Level

Nathan Nettleton

The prophet Amos, who lived about eight centuries before Christ, had a vision which we heard described in the reading earlier. In the vision he saw God as a builder standing at the top of a wall with a plumb line in his hand. Some high tech builders now use laser beams instead, but most still use plumb lines, and certainly as I've observed the building work in this neighborhood over the last couple of years, all the brickies seem to be still using plumb lines. Who knows how a plumb line is used? Any of you children? 

(more)

Becoming the same as our Father

Matthew 5:48 You therefore shall be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.

1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, long for the guileless milk of the word in order that by it you may grow unto salvation,

At the end of Matthew 5 the Lord Jesus said, "You therefore shall be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect." This word concludes this section of the constitution, a section which is exceedingly high. After reading all these requirements, we all would say that we cannot possibly fulfill them. Then we come to verse 48 which tells us that we must be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect. This verse is an indicator that we have the Father's life and nature within us. We have been born of Him and we are His children. Because we are His children possessing His life and nature, there is no need for us to imitate Him or copy Him. As long as we grow in His life, we shall be the same as He is. Thus, all the requirements of the law of the kingdom of the heavens reveal how much this divine life and nature can do for us. Our only need is to be exposed so that we may give up all hope in ourselves. When we are exposed, we shall realize that our natural life is hopeless. Then we shall renounce our natural life, turn to the life of our Father, and stay with the divine nature. Spontaneously, this life will grow in us and fulfill the requirements of this highest law.

We Care Campaign Itinerary

Nov 1-11 
Adams Boulevard Church of Christ

3700 SE Adams Boulevard

Bartlesville, OK 74006-8208

918/333-9712

918/331-9420 (Fax)

adamsblvd@aol.com

2002- Jan 17-27 
Church of Christ

27570 White’s Canyon Road

For anyone wanting to use his/her vacation in a fruitful way, take a vacation to help bring souls to Jesus. Join a "We Care Ministry" soul winning team and help bring people to the Lord. Learn the techniques of the "We Care Ministry" team leaders: Larry West, Bob Danklefsen and Joe Barker. Room and board will be provided. If you have any questions or need more information please contact Robert Carr.

"Go into all the world..." Mark 16:15

KOINONIA KORNER
Pedro Gelabert

From Long Island...

When I read about how God said: "Jacob I have loved but Esau I hated"--I understand this to mean "loves less"--Is it so or does it mean that Esau chose the way of the flesh which God hates and that Jacob chose the opposite--appreciating the blessing of God while Esau despised or rejected it?

This is a good question, and I believe one in which the answer is found in our mature examination of its implications rather than by knowledge or intellect, but by in humility accepting what Paul says in Romans 9:20ff.

(Rom 9:20-22 NIV) But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?'" {21} Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use? {22} What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath--prepared for destruction?

We cannot judge God's heart in as much as we can anybody else's. It is a noble thing for us to say "love the sinner and hate the sin", but, even though that may be acceptable to us, we cannot impose our feeble understanding of our own hearts onto God's immeasurable heart.

God hardens whom He hardens and has mercy on whom He has mercy. He is God, Lord, and Creator. Can we understand Him or judge him according to what we feel is right or not? I cannot fathom that, nor imposing any other human limitation on Him. I am just thankful He has provided a way of redemption for me and has given me a ministry of reconciliation, a Good News for others to also find redemption. Isn't that the point in Romans 10:13?

(Rom 10:13 NIV) "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

What do you think?

Pedro G. Gelabert

If you have a question for KOINONIA KORNER, please send it via e-mail to info@licoc.org with the subject "KOINONIA KORNER"

Wishing to encourage her young son's progress on the piano, a mother took her boy to a Paderewski concert. After they were seated, the mother spotted a friend in the audience and walked down the aisle to greet her.
Seizing the opportunity to explore the wonders of the concert hall, the little boy rose and eventually explored his way through a door marked "NO ADMITTANCE." When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing. Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."

At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing." Then leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child and he added a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was mesmerized.

That's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't exactly graceful flowing music. But with the hand of the Master, our life's work truly can be beautiful. Next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You can hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing." Feel His loving arms around you. Know that His strong hands are there helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces. Remember, God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called. And He'll always be there to love and guide you on to great things.