A publication of the:
Butler church of Christ
Our meeting location is:
201 5th Ave.
Butler, PA 16001
724-287-0628 (building) / 724-282-9417
(home/office)
Assembling Times:
Sunday Bible Class - 9:30 AM
Sunday Worship – 10:30 AM
Wednesday Bible Class – 7:00 PM
Editor / Preacher –
Brian A. Yeager
Check out the web site:
(I Corinthians 10:31 and I Peter 4:11)
When studying with non-Christians and even at times erring brethren, one will often here the remark “I need more time to study this”. Sometimes it is true that one needs to spend a little more time in studying the word of God to come to knowledge of the truth. One cannot sit down with the word of God and consume it all, with understanding, in a brief amount of time. However, let us consider how invalid this excuse can be most times.
The Invalid Excuse for Non-Christians
When a Christian sits down with a non-Christian to study the word of God they are doing that which God desires (Acts 20:20). During that study (normally at the end) a Christian may hear that the non-Christian needs more time to decide whether or not they will obey the Gospel. The Bible shows the result of a person who is pricked in their heart. That result is an immediate action based upon the needful amount of truth the recipient of the Gospel has heard (Acts 2:37-41, Acts 8:12-13, Acts 8:25-39, etc.) The Bible also shows us the typical kind of response of one who will not obey the Gospel. They say things like “…Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian” (Acts 26:28). This is a rejection of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The excuse does not buy any more time for a decision. It is a denial of the invitation to come to Christ.
The Gospel produces results. Faith moves the believer to action (Hebrews 11 and James 2:14-26). A little more time may be needed to find a verse, but once truth is presented decisions need to be made. When standing before the Lord a non-Christian will not have the liberty of saying “I needed more time” (Romans 14:11-12). God has been longsuffering enough (II Peter 3:9). Tomorrow is not promised (Proverbs 27:1). Brethren need to start stressing the urgency of obeying the Lord to non-Christians. Sadly, the excuse of needing more time is not only made by non-Christians, but is also made by apostate brethren.
The Invalid Excuse Made By Erring Brethren
When studying with brethren who believe and practice something that is error the excuse of more time needed for study is sometimes made. Once again, time for studying is certainly needed, but there is a point in which this excuse is taken too far. To illustrate the point I will use an example. I have studied with brethren on the Institutional issues ever since I repented of teaching and believing error on those issues. Sometimes I hear the “I need more time” excuse being made. They cannot affirm with scripture that their position is sound, so they want more time to study it. All the while they continue in the practice of that which they are not completely convinced is truth, which is evident by their need to keep studying it, and their incapability to show authority for their belief. They continue to remain in fellowship with brethren whom they cannot affirm are teaching truth, which is evident by their own need to “re-study” the issues (II John 9-11). So, the excuse is just clearly a way to remain apathetic, thus they feel they have excused themselves from being held accountable for their beliefs. This is nothing less than outright dishonesty. I have been there and done that! Brethren in error must realize that they may have today to study these things, but the day may end kind of short. Repentance is not something we can do while standing before the Judgment Seat of Christ (II Corinthians 5:10). We need to tell brethren in error to study today, change today, or plan on burning tomorrow.
Conclusion
(James 4:13-14) “Go
to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and
continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know
not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour,
that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” The
Lord has granted us the opportunity to learn that time runs out fast.
He taught such when He gave the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13).
Today is the day that we must examine the Bible (II Timothy 2:15), examine
ourselves (II Corinthians 13:5), and make the necessary changes to make
our calling and election sure (II Peter 1:10 and I John 1:9). To
the non-Christian these words apply: (Acts 22:16) “And now why tarriest
thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name
of the Lord.” To the Christian we shall say, as did Paul: (Acts
26:20) “…repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.”
Quick
NotesThose In Need of Our Prayers:
Kathren Lucas (in KY visiting her daughter),
Valarie Johnson, Joan Croyle, Nancy Green (Barb’s cousin that has cancer),
Marie Glunt (a friend of the Papp’s also suffering from cancer), and the
Lockwood family (as they await Mike’s deployment orders).
** Wayne Goforth of Abilene, TX was scheduled
to come and preach for us May 4th – May 8th. Wayne’s wife is struggling
with her pregnancy and has been in and out of the hospital due to complications
and other health matters. We felt it best to contact Wayne and reschedule
him to come this fall so that he could fulfill his duties as a husband
and a father. We continue to keep the Goforth family in our prayers
and we hope you will do the same. In the meantime, the brethren here
wanted to continue on with the plans for a meeting because of the efforts
that have been put into it this far. So, we have decided to have
a meeting wherein the abilities of the brethren in our local work would
be put to use.**
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May 4th – May 8th THEME: Today’s Religious Questions Answered from the Bible Sunday Morning 9:30 – What
Must We Do to Be Saved? (Speaker: Terry Nannie)
**All speakers are members of the BUTLER CHURCH OF CHRIST. Butler church of Christ
Come to a Place Where Only
God is Worshipped and
Experience New Testament Christianity in the 21st Century!
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** Wayne Goforth of Abilene, TX was scheduled to come and preach for us May 4th – May 8th. Wayne’s wife is struggling with her pregnancy and has been in and out of the hospital due to complications and other health matters. We felt it best to contact Wayne and reschedule him to come this fall so that he could fulfill his duties as a husband and a father. We continue to keep the Goforth family in our prayers and we hope you will do the same. In the meantime, the brethren here wanted to continue on with the plans for a meeting because of the efforts that have been put into it this far. So, we have decided to have a meeting wherein the abilities of the brethren in our local work would be put to use.**
