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)
Jesus made a promise that serves as a good introduction to this final tract in our series on finding hope: (John 8:32) “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” We need to notice from what Jesus said that truth is knowable and it’s measure can be found in that it can set men free from sin. Many have aptly stated that knowledge is power. To find anything one must have knowledge of where to look. To find hope one must look to Jesus Christ who is the author and finisher of a Christian’s faith (Hebrews 12:2). To find Jesus, one must look into the word of God that fully reveals Jesus Christ (Ephesians 3:1-11). Knowing the word of God that produces knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is great, but doing that which God declared is when you will have found hope.
Not a Hearer Only, But a Doer
James stated this by inspiration: (James 1:21-22) “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” The things that we find when we study the word of God are the things we must do to find hope. Disobedience to the word of God will not give hope to anyone. It does not take much searching in the Bible for one to find that those who disobey the Lord will pay an eternal price (Matthew 7:21, John 12:48, and Revelation 21:8). While the Bible may not always reveal things we “want” to read and hear, it does reveal the truth. That truth is the only thing capable of giving freedom. The question every student of the scriptures needs to ask themselves is “am I going to do what God requires”?
What Does God Require
The Bible is longer than this tract will be, so obviously all things required for one to enter into eternal life will not be recorded here. Once one becomes a Christian they find hope and then they continue to grow through study and application of the scriptures (John 5:39, II Peter 1:3-10, and II Peter 3:18).
While this article is not large enough to contain everything that God requires of mankind to be saved, it does give plenty of space to list what God says one must do to enter in Christ. Of course outside of Christ there is no hope.
What Must I Do To Be Saved?
1. You must hear, listen, and understand the word of God (Romans 10:17, Matthew 13:19, and Matthew 28:19).
2. You must believe that Gospel which is taught unto you (Mark 16:15-16, John 8:24, and Hebrews 11:6).
3. You must repent of your sins (Luke 13:3; 5, Acts 3:19, and Acts 26:20).
4. You must confess Christ (Matthew 10:32-33, Acts 8:37, and Romans 10:10).
5. You must be baptized [immersed – Acts 8:35-39 and Romans 6:1-6] in water for you to:
a. Be born spiritually (John 3:1-5).
b. Have your sins remitted (Acts 2:38).
c. To be added to the body of Christ (Acts 2:41; 47, and I Corinthians 12:12-13).
d. To be in Christ (Galatians 3:27).
e. To be baptized into the death of Christ (Romans 6:3 and Colossians 2:12).
f. To walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4-6).
g. To have your sins washed away (Acts 22:16).
h. To be saved (Mark 16:15-16 and I Peter 3:21).
The above is what the Bible teaches relative to God’s plan of redemption.
Many religions have different teachings, they are all wrong. The
above is what the Bible says. No one has the right to claim the ability
to tell someone what they need to do to be saved outside of what the Bible
says. The church of Christ was established on the Day of Pentecost
in Acts the second chapter when the saved were added to her (Acts 2:47).
Since then, the church of Christ has been the support and foundation of
the truth (I Timothy 3:15). Will you seek out the church of Jesus’
choice?
Conclusion
Much has been written in this five part series on finding hope. Each point has been supported with scripture. That is the way it must be (Colossians 3:17 and I Peter 4:11). True hope is found through faith (Hebrews 11:1). You cannot have true hope if you do not have faith in the word of God which will produce obedience.
On an unknown future day the Lord will return (Matthew 24:36). At that point in time all of mankind will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ and answer for the things done in this life (II Corinthians 5:10). Will you be able to look at the Lamb of God whom died for you and say that you obeyed His will? If not, you are hopeless for that day is coming and you will be judged.
I sure hope that this series of articles may have pricked your heart to action if you are not already a child of God. That was the response we find in several accounts throughout the New Testament. However, there is also the response of rejection. In case this is your answer to our study, here are some closing inspired words for you, please do not become “almost”, for “almost” is still lost: (Acts 26:27-29) “King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.”
Quick
Notes
Those Serving Today:
Announcements – Brian Yeager
A.M. Song Leader – Young Jay Wagner
Lord’s Table – Bill Graham
Assisting – Sergio Imbarlina and Terry
Nannie
First Prayer – Mike Lockwood
Closing Prayer – Steve Burgoon
Those In Need of Our Prayers:
Joan Croyle, Tony Sassano, Julie Rado
(cancer), and Marie Glunt (cancer).
Do you know of someone who could
use a visit and an offer to study the scriptures? Is it possible
that you have a friend, neighbor, or family member that would be interested
in studying the word of God? If so, let Brian know who it is and
where they live.
MOVING... 
The Lockwood family will
be moving to Milwaukee, WI sometime in February.
Please keep them in your
prayers.