Ironworks

                         How can I grow spiritually? This question is one that many Christians, new and old, ask themselves and others. It is a good question and one that corresponds with the right desires. Jesus was a perfect example of this because the Holy Spirit explains, “And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:52). We understand that as Jesus grew from adolescence to adulthood His wisdom and stature would surely grow. I want to focus our attention to the fact that He grew in favor with God and men. When we grow in Christ and mature from the basics of our faith, we will certainly receive the favor of God. So, what are some basics of growing spiritually? Love God and Others             The New Testament Christian must remember their first love, Christ! This was the thing lacking in the Ephesus church of Christ ...

A very common question that is asked is, “Will we know each other in heaven?” This is a wonderful question that the Bible answers. To begin, it would be important to recognize that heaven will be the home for the church that belongs to Christ eternally. When we consider this, we think about our brethren who have lived faithfully (cf. Rev. 2:10; 1 John 1:7, Mark 13:13) and have died. We might miss them in this interim time, and thus hope to see them again. That is a wonderful thought, is it not? We spend our lives together with our Christian spouses, children, and brethren. We worship with, pray with, and serve with these individuals throughout our lives. Would it be wrong to want to have a continued fellowship with one another in eternity?  There is Comfort in God’s Word Concerning Heaven The Thessalonian Christians in the first century were concerned about those of their number who had passed. Listen to what the Spirit said,  “But we would not have you ignorant, brethren,...

 “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.” Mark 13:13 Obedient Faith is Ongoing             The final step of God's plan for saving man is ongoing throughout the rest of our natural lives. We must remain faithful unto death (cf. Rev. 2:10). The Word of God instructs the first-century church, as it does all New Testament Christians, that we must be faithful whether or not it is a good, spiritual-high moment or if it is safe. We must remain faithful even when it might cost us our lives. This was a very real circumstance for the church under the Roman Empire and in many nations today. There are brethren today in countries who face certain death for wearing the name Christian. This is clearly in agreement to what is written above when Jesus made it clear there were expectations of His people. We will be hated because of Jesus’ name; we will face opposition from all sorts of people and r...

“And it came to pass, that he was sitting at meat in his house, and many publicans and sinners sat down with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and publicans, said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? And when Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:15-17 “They're going to hell, and you’re glad they’re going there.” I have mentioned this comment made to me by a brother from a liberal congregation once before, but I have to tell you, it bothers me. It should bother you, too, because this is a common tactic used against New Testament Christians who still ask for the old paths (cf.Jer. 6:16-17). If you teach the exclusivity of the church, people assume that you absolutely hate the lost among the r...

     This week we will begin a series on the qualifications of elders. We know the pattern for the New Testament church is that elders be appointed in every congregation (cf. Titus 1:5). Each of those who would be appointed as elders must be fully qualified according to what the Holy Spirit has revealed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, 1 Peter 5:1-4, and Acts 20:28.  We are very blessed to have good and godly men, Bob, Jack, and Gary, who have served and continue to serve well. With Bob and Colene’s relocation, our elders have taken the task of looking at adding a man to the eldership. It is important that all of the congregation be invested in our study of such an important role in the Lord’s church.       When elders are appointed, they must be fully qualified according to the Scriptures. If they are not fully qualified, they must not serve in that role. A brother made the observation recently that it is easier to get a man in than it is to get ...

Our next item that is up for dismantling is the false doctrine of Irresistible Grace. This, like every other element of Calvinism, is dependent upon the doctrine of Total Hereditary Depravity, which we have dismantled previously. I still want to present the case on why the doctrine of Irresistible Grace does not stand up to the test of the Scriptures.  What Is the Doctrine of Irresistible Grace? The Orthodox Presbyterian Confession of faith states,  "This effectual call is of God’s free and special grace alone, not from anything at all foreseen in man, who is altogether passive therein, until, being quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit, he is thereby enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the grace offered and conveyed in it." What is the Logical Conclusion of this Doctrine?  The advocates of the doctrine of Irresistible grace contend that because man is so depraved that he cannot do anything good whatsoever, he must be kidnapped and forced into salvation with Go...