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)
The beloved Apostle Paul said this to the Corinthian brethren: (II Corinthians 5:10-11) “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.” Do we share in Paul’s sentiments? Do we know enough about the judgment of the Lord to realize that many will be lost (Matthew 7:13-14; 21-23)? Are we taking every opportunity to help the lost be saved? Do we share in the mission of Christ to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10)?
What It Means to Seek the Lost to Help Them Be Saved
Jesus had a mission that no one else can complete. He came to die for all mankind that they might be saved (John 3:16 and Romans 5:6-9). However, while He was on earth He left the example of seeking out the lost and teaching them how to be saved. Notice what is recorded in Matthew’s portion of the Gospel account of Christ: (Matthew 4:17) “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” When we think about the word seek and we realize how Jesus sought audiences to teach, maybe then we will begin to focus on proper methods of evangelism.
Consider some questions for thought. If you saw a house on fire at 2:00 AM, you noticed the lights were out, but there were cars in the driveway. Would you stop and warn the inhabitants of the house or would you drive on? If you saw a bad storm approaching and a tornado warning on the TV screen just as you noticed your neighbors outside. Would you warm them, or would you just go into your basement and ignore the fact that many folks could die because you withheld information?
We know, as Paul exclaimed, that Jesus Christ is going to come as a thief in the night (I Thessalonians 5:2-3). Why are we failing to warn people about it? Is a house on fire or a coming storm more violent than eternity in Hell? Consider that God said vengeance would be taking on those that do not know the Lord, and have not obeyed His Gospel (II Thessalonians 1:8-9). Is the vengeance of God something to wink at?
Conclusion
Surely, Christians love
their neighbors. But, do we love our neighbors as ourselves?
The Lord commanded such love (Matthew 22:39). Now, the question that
should help us all in considering how much more effort we need to put into
evangelism is this: If you love yourself enough to try all you can do to
go to Heaven, surely you must realize that loving your neighbor demands
you teach them as you have yourself studied; correct? Knowing the
terror to come, let us consider our fellow man and sound out the truth
that they may be set free from sin (John 8:32)!
Quick
NotesThose In Need of Our Prayers:
Joan Croyle, Marie Glunt (a friend of
the Papp’s who is suffering from cancer), and Julie Rado (a friend of the
Graham’s who has been diagnosed with breast cancer), the Goforth family,
and Valarie Johnson.
Teaching / Preacher Substitutes:
I (Brian) am out of town this week preaching
a meeting in Warrenville, SC. Bill is filling in by teaching the
Sunday Bible Class, Mike is preaching today, and Mike is also taking care
of Wednesday night.