Volume  2    Issue   48    October 6th, 2002

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:

http://www.wordsoftruth.net

One great part of each and every Christian’s life is teaching others the Gospel.  It is a command to do so (Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:15-16, and II Timothy 2:2).  Souls are saved and the church grows in number by “word of mouth”.  However, many Christians do not do as the Bible teaches they must.  Seemingly, Christ is the last thing that they talk about to others.  If we do not confess Christ He will not confess us to His Father.

(Matthew 10:32-33) “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.  But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.”  The aforementioned passages from God’s word show us the importance of confessing Christ.  If we do not confess Him, He will not confess us.  Each Christian is a member of the church of Christ (Acts 2:47).  The church of Christ is the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:22-32).  Could you imagine a bride on this earth that would not admit to being the wife of her husband?  Could you imagine a bride that was ashamed of her husband?  That is no kind of loving relationship.  The same is true about the Christian.  We must not be ashamed of our Lord.  Christians are members of His body and have become one in Baptism (Galatians 3:27), just as a husband and wife in marriage.  The Bible does explain to us
what is occurring when someone will not confess Christ.  The Bible teaches this problem is a faith problem.

When a Christian has a problem telling others what they are and whose they are they show others their lack of faith.  When someone truly believes in God and truly believes that He will redeem the faithful and destroy the disobedient they will not keep that to themselves.  One with true faith will want to tell others of a great Savior (Romans 5:6-9) and warn them not to disobey Him (Matthew 7:21).  The Bible teaches that if one has faith they will not have shame.  (Romans 10:11) “For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”  So, when one has a problem confessing Christ and professing the Gospel we can recognize that as a faith problem!

Whenever someone has a faith problem they must be directed to the proper source to find faith.  Faith comes from the word of God (Romans 10:17).  Faithful brethren need to love their brothers and sisters enough to realize when they need help in this area.  We need to bear one another burdens (Galatians 6:1-2).  When one regains faith they will not be ashamed.  They will be a lighthouse of faith for the world to see (Matthew 5:14-16), and a “talking Bible” for the world to hear.  A Christian who has the proper faith will feel as did Jeremiah.  A faithful Christian will not be able to keep what they know to themselves: (Jeremiah 20:9) “Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.”

Quick Notes

Those In Need of Our Prayers:
Steve Burgoon, Joan Croyle, and Goldie Buterbaugh (Carol’s mom).

Friday Night Bible Studies:
Friday night studies at the Yeager’s home beginning Oct. 11th at 7:30 PM.