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The Dangers of Looking Back

January 15, 2021 by admin Leave a Comment

Physically looking backwards may result in a stumble or fall but looking back spiritually can be life-threatening. One who spiritually looks backwards, resorts back to their sinful past (Heb. 10:35-39). Once we obey the Gospel of Christ, we are a new creature, forsaking the old man of sin (Rom. 6:1-6; Col. 3:9-10). Before one is baptized into Christ, they ought to consider that they must stop living in sin. No one is perfect and we all sin (Rom. 3:23), but a “Christian” continuing to sin is not faithful (1 Jn. 1:5-2:2; 3:4-9). When a Christian looks back, they long for the fleeting pleasures of sin they gave up when they first came to Christ (Heb. 11:23-27). As Jesus stated, “No one, having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Lk. 9:62). Let us examine the dangers of looking back instead of forward to Christ.

Photo by Alexandra Mirgheș on Unsplash

Lot’s wife is a great example of someone looking backwards spiritually. While escaping the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the angels instructed Lot and his family not to look back on the city (Gen. 19:12-25). What we must understand is that Lot’s wife looking back was because she did not want to let go of her physical possessions. What mattered more to her, the home and possessions she left in Sodom or following the commands of God? Notice, when commanded by the angels to flee, Lot and his family lingered. They lingered to the point that the angels had to physically grab their hands and lead them out of the city (Gen 19:14-16). Why would they desire to remain in such a sinful city (Gen. 19:1-7)? It is a sad reality that most people will endure rampant sin all around them because of the riches a location like that offers (Gen. 13:10-11). Lot’s wife was not looking back out of curiosity to view the destruction, but she looked backwards because of what she left behind (Lk. 17:28-33)! Her home, possessions, and riches were destroyed and these things mattered most to her. Do riches and possessions cause you to look back instead of focusing forward? Lot’s wife laid up riches on earth, where are yours (Matt. 6:19-21)?

The Israelites in the wilderness were rarely looking forward, focusing on God as they should have. Instead, they looked backwards at their former lives in Egypt and wished they were still there (Ex. 16:3). Did you catch that? The Israelites, who were mistreated slaves back in Egypt (Ex. 1:9-16; 3:7-9), wanted to return back to servitude. They looked back at Egypt several times while wandering in the wilderness. In their minds, slavery with a full belly trumped being free and trusting in the Lord who delivered them (Ex. 17:1-3; Num. 14:1-4; 20:2-5). Though their physical bodies left Egypt, spiritually they remained behind. Their desire to return back to Egypt was such an issue, God had to command when a king of Israel arose, he was not allowed to send the people back to Egypt to obtain more horses (Deut. 17:14-16). God even issued a warning to Israel that if they did not obey His law, He would send them back to Egypt as slaves (Deut. 28:58-68). It is clear from the Old Testament that Israel did not keep the commandments of God and the Lord sent them into slavery to the Assyrians (Hosea 11:5). The real reason Israel desired to return to Egypt was because they feared the unknown and did not fully trust in God to provide for them. Even after Israel conquered Canaan and a few centuries passed by, the children of Israel still trusted in Egypt’s might more than they did God’s (Is. 31:1-3). Does God have your complete trust, or do you look back and place your trust in the things of this world (Col. 3:1-7)?           

-Brandon Foresha

 

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01.13.21 Devotional and Bible Study

January 13, 2021 by admin Leave a Comment

01.13.21 Devotional and Bible Study
Devo – Mark Parks – Don’t Give Up as You Grow Old
Bible Study – Jerry Sturgill – Amos 7

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Separating the Righteous from the Wicked

January 10, 2021 by admin Leave a Comment

Jesus spoke several parables to illustrate the kingdom of heaven (Mt. 13). Many of these highlight the separation of the righteous from the wicked at the end of the world when the Lord returns—the wheat from the tares (Mt. 13:24-30, 36-43), the good from the bad fish (13:47-50), the wise from the foolish virgins (25:1-13), and the sheep from the goats (25:31-46), just to name a few. The Christian age, (often called the “last days” in the Bible), is the period of time from Christ’s establishment of His kingdom in the first century (Mk. 9:1; Rev. 1:9) to the end of the world, when He brings those in His kingdom home to heaven (Mt. 13:39-40, 49; 28:20). We presently are in this last period of time, but so were those on Pentecost day following Christ’s resurrection, according to Acts 2:16-17. The Lord has been longsuffering for 2,000 years, allowing individuals time to repent (2 Pet. 3:8-9). He provides the opportunity to be part of His kingdom by being baptized/born again into His kingdom, the church (Mt. 16:18-19; Jn. 3:3-5; Acts 2:38, 41, 47; Col. 1:13). He may return today or a thousand years from now; however, no one knows the time of His coming, so we must be watchful (Mt. 24:36-51). His coming will be unexpected (Mt. 24:44; 25:13; 1 Thess. 5:1-3; 2 Pet. 3:10).

Photo by Sebastian Pena Lambarri on Unsplash

In these last days, Christians must remain faithful in a world filled with people who are “lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Tim. 3:2-5). Yes, some will act like they are righteous people, but in reality, they guide others away from God. Sadly, “evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Tim. 3:13). However, our lives and teachings must be according to God’s word, if we will be saved and save others (1 Tim. 4:16). We must continue to preach God’s word (2 Tim. 4:2), even when others depart from the faith in this last age (1 Tim. 4:1). We must be watchful in all things and endure afflictions (2 Tim. 4:5), even when others heap to themselves false teachers that deceive them and make them feel good in their sins (2 Tim. 4:3-4; Rom. 16:17-18; Jude 4). First-century Christians had to patiently endure tribulations, such as Jerusalem’s destruction, and so must we today, possessing our souls by patience (Lk. 21:19; Acts 14:22).

When the Lord returns, it will all be worth it (2 Cor. 4:17). If we are faithful to the Lord Jesus, we will receive a crown of righteousness in the last day (2 Tim. 4:7-8). The wicked will finally be dealt with once and for all, and the righteous will be saved from sin’s ruinous influence. The wicked will be weeping and gnashing their teeth (Mt. 8:12; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30; Lk. 13:28), but the righteous will have all tears wiped from their eyes, for they will no longer experience death, crying, or pain (Rev. 21:4). Instead, they will have healing, living among the tree of life, basking in the light of God, and serving Him forever (Rev. 22:1-5). Be sure you remain faithful and watchful, so that you are separated on the right side when the Lord returns. 

 -Mark Day

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1.10.21 PM Worship – Mark Day – Spiritual CPR

January 10, 2021 by admin Leave a Comment

1.10.21 PM Worship – Mark Day – Spiritual CPR
Scripture Reading – James 1:2-12: Mason Morris

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1.10.21 AM Worship – Mark Day – Gender

January 10, 2021 by admin Leave a Comment

1.10.21 AM Worship – Mark Day – Gender

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Live Streaming – Bible Study – Brandon Foresha – Foundations – Paul in Acts

January 10, 2021 by admin Leave a Comment

1.3.21 AM Bible Class – Brandon Foresha – Lesson 1 – The Persecutor
Acts 8:1,9:1-8

1.10.21 AM Bible Study – Brandon Foresha – Lesson 2 – The Convert
Acts 9:10-19

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1-6-21 Wednesday Night Bible Study

January 6, 2021 by admin Leave a Comment

1-6-21 Wednesday Night Bible Study
Devo by Mark Day – Simon the Sorcerer
Bible Study by Jerry Stugill – Amos Chapter 6

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Live Streaming – 1.3.20 PM – Mark Day – Untouchable

January 3, 2021 by admin Leave a Comment

1.3.20 PM – Mark Day – Untouchable
Scripture Reading – Luke 4:5-8

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1.02.21 AM Worship – Mark Day – Humans and God’s Creation

January 3, 2021 by admin Leave a Comment

1.02.21 AM Worship – Mark Day – Human and God’s Creation

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Why I Am A Member of The Church of Christ

December 31, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

What follows also answers the question “Why am I a member of the church of Christ?” and in doing so answer the question “Why should you be a member of the church of Christ?” The fact that a religious body exists is proof that it was founded by someone. Did you know here are at least 3,000 different religious groups in the world today. Since there are so many religious groups in existence, does it matter which one I should be a member of, or should one just “join the church of your choice”? Friends, I am a member of the church of Christ because…

The New Testament church was founded by the right person, at the right time and at the right place. The New Testament teaches the One who built the New Testament church, and when, and where. The church was built by Jesus Christ, Matthew 16:18-19, in the 1st century on the first Pentecost after the Lord’s resurrection, Acts chapter 2. Christian denominations were built by the wrong person (man), at the wrong time, and the wrong place, centuries after Jesus built His church.

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Jesus built only one church. Did Jesus build one church, many churches, or all churches? Scripture teaches that Jesus built only one church. The Bible teaches there is one body. See Ephesians 4:4. The Bible teaches that the body is the church. Colossians 1:18 says, “And he (Christ) is the head of the body, the church”. Since the body and the church are the same and since there is only one body the unavoidable conclusion is there is only one church. Also, the church is described as the bride of Christ. See 2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 19:7, 22:17; Ephesians 22-23. How many brides does Christ have? Is He guilty of polygamy? No friends. Christ has one bride and that is the church of Christ.

The church Jesus built is undenominational. To say we are undenominational we do not mean all-denominational (non-denominational) that is, looking with favor upon all denominations. The church of Christ is undenominational in that it is not a denomination and that it stands opposed to denominationalism. Denominationalism is completely foreign to the Bible teaching of the oneness of the body of Christ. The very fact that Christ’s church is designated a “body” rule out the idea of division which is the mark of denominationalism. Consider just a few reasons the church of Christ is not a denomination: 1) Denominationalism is contrary to the Lord’s prayer for unity – John 17:20-21; 2) Denominationalism is opposed to Paul’s plea for unity – 1 Corinthians 1:10; 3) Denominationalism is contrary to Christ because Christ is not divided – 1 Corinthians 1:11-13. There is not a single denomination on earth that was built by Jesus Christ. Denominationalism is a counterfeit of the one true church.

The church Jesus built gives a scriptural answer to the question, “What must I do to be saved?” The Lord’s church preaches the one true Gospel of salvation provided by God’s grace and tells people plainly and clearly what the scriptures require for one to be saved. There is but one true Gospel (Galatians 1:6-9) and it is God’s power to save (Romans 1:16). The denominations preach “saved by grace alone through faith alone”. Time after time one will hear a denominational preacher tell people to “accept Christ as their personal savior” by just “saying the sinner’s prayer” or even the vague urging to “receive Christ into their hearts as Savior”. Such teachings are not part of the Gospel. One Must Hear The Gospel: Romans 10:17; Acts 16:14 John 6:44-45; Believe The Gospel: Hebrews 5:8; John 8:21, 24; Repent of Sin: Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38, 17:30-31; Confess The Deity Of Christ: Matthew 10:32; Acts 8:37; Romans 10:9-10; Be Baptized (Immersed) For The Forgiveness of Sin: Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38, 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21.

The Lord only built one church. If the church of which I am a member, when held to the Light of God’s Word: was founded by the right person, at the right time and at the right place, is undenominational, and gives the scriptural plan of salvation, it must be the right church, the church of (belonging to) Christ. As we begin the new year, won’t you seek the one true church?

 

-Jerry D. Sturgill

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Flatwoods Church of Christ
PO Box 871
2100 Argillite Rd.
Flatwoods, KY
41139

606.836.4207

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Sunday Bible Study - 9:45 am
Sunday Morning Worship - 10:45 am
Sunday Evening Worship - 6:00 pm
Wednesday Evening Worship - 7:00 pm

Featured Posts

The Dangers of Looking Back

01.13.21 Devotional and Bible Study

Separating the Righteous from the Wicked

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