Ironworks

“Faithful is the saying, and concerning these things I desire that thou affirm confidently, to the end that they who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men: but shun foolish questionings, and genealogies, and strifes, and fightings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A factious man after a first and second admonition refuse; knowing that such a one is perverted, and sinneth, being self-condemned.”  Titus 3:8-11 Profit and loss are two common things that we consider when it comes to enterprise. Many retailers look forward to a day that has been called “Black Friday.” That day is not as ominous as it sounds, unless perhaps you have worked in the retail business. Black Friday is called this, because many retailers hit the black (signifying profit) after this big business day. Before this day, many businesses could find themselves in the red (signifying loss) for part, if not all, of the year. The church that

          Every organization has a purpose. The purpose of a restaurant is to serve food to their customers. The purpose of the electric company is to keep the lights on. The purpose of the mechanic is to perform maintenance or repairs on their customers’ vehicles. The purpose of the Congress is to enact legislation. The purposes of the aforementioned organizations are described in perhaps their company bylaws with the latter being described in Article I of the United States Constitution.           The church is an organization of divine origin, thus it must have a divine purpose. The church is the only authorized institution in the New Testament; thus, every work that God has called men to do is worked out through the church's actions. We must go to the handbook and constitution for the church (The Bible) for the purpose of the church.  What is Not the Purpose of the Church?           The purpose of the church is not to bring glory to men. The church does not grant social prestige

Where is the White House? We might  be quick to answer that it is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Washington D.C. United States of America. That is relatively easy for many people. The White House was commissioned to be built at that location in the late 18th century and remains occupying its 18 acres despite being burnt by the British during the War of 1812.  The next question might be very difficult for some in this world. Where is the church of Christ? This one for some may be a much more difficult question to answer. There are 4500 denominations of Christendom. Can one of these be the church which Christ built? Jesus said,  “And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:18-19      

  The Bible is full of examples of godly men and women whose behaviors we ought to take note of and emulate. We could consider the faithfulness of Abraham. We would see that he took God at His Word and followed Him. We could consider the patience of Job. From his example, we would learn that God cares for us even when we are hurting and that we can make it through anything because of Him. We might also look at the wisdom of Solomon. From his example, we would learn that the only true wisdom in this world has a divine source and only that source can sustain us in walking in wisdom.            All of these men’s examples are a pattern that we should follow. Jehovah also has provided a perfect pattern in the actions of His Son, Jesus. Paul recorded, “But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. But if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Romans 8:9). How can we be assured that we have the Spirit of God and Christ?